Tue 6 Jun 2006
June Bank Holiday
Posted by gremlin under Travel
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For the non-Irish amongst you, the first Monday in June is a public holiday. Since my wife was studying for her German exams and also undertaking the Dublin mini-marathon for the good cause of St Francis Hospice; I decided – with my wife’s permission – to take a long weekend abroad. And what a fab break it was. The weather was absolutely scorching hot every day; Blue skies, birds singing what more could there be – lots. I am a history buff, so for me the weekend was one long history binge.
First there was the fantastic Maiden Castle just outside Dorchester. This is a large Iron-Age Hill Fort, the best in England if the literature is to be believed; and I can readily believe that. Its around a mile on the top, with three massive supporting ditches. The pictures will give you a flavour of the “millennium project� of its day.
The next stop on the tour was the Bovington Tank Museum. A place I have always wanted to visit, but for some reason hadn’t. This Museum has tanks from the First World War through to the modern day including an odd tank with 5 turrets (yes 5), Russian T-34 and KV-1, German Tiger-1, King-Tiger and Panther, Centurion, Challenger, T-55, T72, Sherman, S-Tank. Needless to say as a propeller head I had a fantastic afternoon here; saw so many things I have only seen on TV, books and various movies; totally awesome.
Another enjoyable day was spent at Porchester Roman Shore fort which was built in 280AD and whose walls remain pretty much today as they were then since the Saxons and Normans kept them intact. I was surprised to find on my arrival that by fortunates smile I had arrived in the middle of a “Roman Weekendâ€? with the re-enactors from Britannia, Ermine Street Guard, a Roman Racing chariot and a display; Even Phil Harding from Channel-4’s Time-Team was wandering around. Next year they are promising Gladiatorial combat and chariot racing!!!
The Roman Palace Villa complex at Fishbourne was built probably for a local British tribal leader by the Romans in the early years of their conquest around 80AD. The site was discovered by a local farmer digging new drains; and to be honest not a lot remains bar some very nice mosaics.
Once night/early morning was spent in the picturesque village Wootton Rivers in a 16th century pub which serves excellent foods and dammed good beer. Virtually every house in the village is thatched, there is a lovely peaceful Norman church, and the village nestles by the side of a canal. There is hardly a man-made sound to be heard above the noise of so many species of bird song. It is the first time I have heard a cuckoo in many a year. The village is an ideal base of operations for trips to Wiltshire and Dorset and the pub “The Old Oak� is highly recommended.
Avebury is a favourite haunt of mine in England. Averbury is a village within a massive stone circle and ditch complex; in many ways far superior to the nearby Stonehenge which attracts many more visitors. Needless to say nothing is better than spending a few hours with a good friend (in this case Debbie), a good pint (Old Speckled Hen) and discussing life the universe and everything on a glorious summers day – cheers and enjoy the photos!!
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